Multi-component filter providing improved flavour enhancement

ABSTRACT

A multi-component filter for a smoking article comprises: a first flavour-releasing segment proximate a mouth end of the filter; and a second flavour-releasing segment located immediately upstream of the first flavour-releasing segment. The first flavour-releasing segment comprises at least one flavour-bearing thread and the second flavour-releasing segment comprises flavour-bearing cellulosic particles. The multi-component filter may further comprise a rod end segment comprising filtration material located upstream of the second flavour-releasing segment, distant from the first flavour-releasing segment.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to EuropeanApplication No. 07251210.6, filed Mar. 21, 2007, the entire content ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a multi-component filter for a smokingarticle and to a smoking article comprising such a multi-componentfilter.

BACKGROUND

Filter cigarettes typically comprise a rod of tobacco cut fillersurrounded by a paper wrapper and a cylindrical filter aligned in anend-to-end relationship with the wrapped tobacco rod and attachedthereto by tipping paper.

In conventional filter cigarettes, the filter usually consists of a plugof cellulose acetate tow wrapped in porous plug wrap. However, filtercigarettes with multi-component filters that comprise two or moresegments of filtration material for the removal of particulate andgaseous components of the mainstream smoke are also known. To enhancethe flavour of the mainstream smoke produced during combustion of thewrapped tobacco rod, it is also known to provide filter cigarettes withfilters that include flavourants.

WO-A-03/059096 discloses a cigarette with a multi-component filtercomprising a bed of flavoured spherical beaded activated carbon and aflavor-releasing segment including a yarn with flavorant thereondownstream from the flavored spherical beaded activated carbon. Asbeaded activated carbon is an adsorbent, flavor is not released from theflavored beaded activated carbon into mainstream smoke drawn through themulti-component filter even when saturated.

It would be desirable to provide a multi-component filter for a smokingarticle such as a cigarette that provides improved flavour enhancementto mainstream smoke as it is drawn from a rod of smokable materialthrough the filter.

SUMMARY

According to the present invention there is provided a multi-componentfilter for a smoking article comprising: a first flavour-releasingsegment proximate a mouth end of the filter; and a secondflavour-releasing segment located immediately upstream of the firstflavour-releasing segment, wherein the first flavour-releasing segmentcomprises at least one flavour-bearing thread and the secondflavour-releasing segment comprises flavour-bearing cellulosicparticles.

According to the present invention there is also provided a smokingarticle comprising: a rod of smokable material; and a multi-componentfilter, the multi-component filter comprising: a first flavour-releasingsegment proximate a mouth end of the filter; and a secondflavour-releasing segment located immediately upstream of the firstflavour-releasing segment, wherein the first flavour-releasing segmentcomprises at least one flavour-bearing thread and the secondflavour-releasing segment comprises flavour-bearing cellulosicparticles.

In alternative embodiments of the multi-component filter and smokingarticle of the present invention, the second flavour-releasing segmentcomprises flavour-bearing particles made from tobacco plant material.

Throughout the specification, “upstream” and “downstream” are used todescribe the relative positions of segments of the multi-componentfilter of the invention in relation to the direction of mainstream smokedrawn from a rod of smokable material through the multi-component filterduring use.

As mainstream smoke is drawn from a rod of smokable material through themulti-component filter, flavour is released into the mainstream smokefrom the flavour-bearing cellulosic particles as the smoke passesthrough the second flavour-releasing segment. Thereafter, additionalflavour is released into the mainstream smoke from the one or moreflavour-bearing threads as the smoke passes through the firstflavour-releasing segment. The two adjacent flavour-releasing segmentsof multi-component filters according to the invention therebyadvantageously maximise flavour release into the mouth of a consumer.

The cellulosic particles of the second flavour-releasing segment of themulti-component filter of the present invention act as flavourcontainers, not as adsorbents. When mainstream smoke drawn through themulti-component filter contacts the surface of the cellulosic particles,the flavour contained therein is released into the mainstream smoke.

According to fluid dynamics, most of the mainstream smoke from the rodof smokable material passes through the centre of the filter. The massflow of the mainstream smoke decreases radially from the centre. Byarranging a flavour carrier in the form of one or more flavour-bearingthreads, for example one to five flavour-bearing threads, along thecentre of the filter or distributed around the centre of the filter,flavour release into the mainstream smoke is advantageously increased.

In use, the one or more flavour-bearing threads of the firstflavour-releasing segment act as a first flavour reservoir, while thecellulosic particles of the second flavour-releasing segment act as asecond flavour reservoir. Multi-component filters according to thepresent invention thereby advantageously provide dual flavourenhancement to mainstream smoke drawn there through. Preferably, theamount of flavourant in the first flavour-releasing segment exceeds theamount of flavourant in the second flavour-releasing segment.

Multi-component filters according to the present invention may beparticularly advantageously employed as filters for low tar and ultralow tar filter cigarettes. Throughout the specification, “low tar” isused to describe cigarettes having a total nicotine free dry particulatematter or “tar” delivery of between about 4 mg and about 6 mg and “ultralow tar” is used to describe cigarettes having a total tar delivery ofabout 3 mg or less.

It will be appreciated, however, that multi-component filters accordingto the invention may also be used as filters for filter cigarettes andother smoking articles having a higher total tar delivery, for example atotal tar delivery of about 6 mg or higher.

The first flavour-releasing segment and the second flavour-releasingsegment of multi-component filters according to the invention mayinclude any volatile flavourant capable of releasing flavour intomainstream smoke drawn through the multi-component filter.

The first flavour-releasing segment and the second flavour-releasingsegment may comprise one or more natural flavourants, one or moresynthetic flavourants or a combination of one or more naturalflavourants and one or more synthetic flavourants.

For example, the first flavour-releasing segment and the secondflavour-releasing segment may comprise one or more essential oils,oleoresins, absolutes, fruit concentrates, fruit extracts anddistillates or combinations thereof.

The first flavour-releasing and the second flavour-releasing segment ofmulti-component filters according to the present invention may compriseflavourants including one or more flavour ingredients to create acertain flavour type. Flavourants and flavour types that may be includedin the first flavour-releasing segment and the second flavour-releasingsegment of multi-component filters according to the invention include,but are not limited to, coffee, tea, spices (such as cinnamon, clove andginger), cocoa, vanilla, spearmint, peppermint, fruit flavourants (suchas blueberry, cranberry, orange, peach, and strawberry), chocolate,menthol, eucalyptus, geranium extract, linalool and citrus.

The first flavour-releasing segment and the second flavour-releasingsegment of multi-component filters according to the invention may beconstructed and arranged to release the same or different flavours intomainstream smoke drawn from a rod of smokable material through themulti-component filter. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, thefirst flavour-releasing segment and the second flavour-releasing segmentare constructed and arranged to release the same flavour into mainstreamsmoke drawn from a rod of smokable material through the multi-componentfilter.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the firstflavour-releasing segment and the second flavour-releasing segment areconstructed and arranged to release menthol into mainstream smoke drawnfrom a rod of smokable material through the multi-component filter.

Preferably, the first flavour-releasing segment comprises a cylindricalplug of filtration material having one or more flavour-bearing threadsextending substantially axially there through. More preferably, thefirst flavour-releasing segment comprises a cylindrical plug ofcellulose acetate tow having one or more flavour-bearing threads, forexample between one and five flavour-bearing threads, extendingsubstantially axially there through. Most preferably, the firstflavour-releasing segment comprises a cylindrical plug of celluloseacetate tow having a single, substantially central, flavour-bearingthread extending substantially axially there through.

Preferably, the first flavour-releasing segment comprises one or moreflavour-bearing threads loaded with menthol.

The one or more threads may be formed from any suitable materialscapable of bearing a flavourant including, but not limited to, cotton,cellulose acetate, rayon, or other hydrophilic textile or non-textilematerials or combinations thereof. Preferably the one or more threadsare formed of cotton yarn or cellulose acetate yarn.

Preferably, each of the one or more threads has a diameter of betweenabout 0.6 mm and about 2.0 mm, more preferably of about 0.8 mm.

Filter plugs comprising flavour-bearing threads suitable for use inmulti-component filters according to the present invention, and methodsand apparatus for forming such plugs, are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,281,671 and 7,074,170 and are available from the American FiltronaCompany, Richmond, Va., USA.

Preferably, the first flavour-releasing segment comprises a plug offiltration material including a single flavour-bearing thread. The firstflavour-releasing segment may, however, comprise a plug of filtrationmaterial including more than one flavour-bearing thread, for example upto five flavour-bearing threads. Each thread may be loaded with morethan one flavourant. In addition, where the first flavour-releasingsegment comprises a plug of filtration material including two or moreflavour-bearing threads, the threads may be loaded with the same ordifferent flavourants.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the first flavour-releasingsegment comprises a plug of cellulose acetate tow including a single,substantially central, substantially axial flavour-bearing thread loadedwith menthol.

Preferably, the first flavour-releasing segment comprises one or morecoloured flavour-bearing threads. The colour of the one or moreflavour-bearing threads may be advantageously used to indicate to aconsumer the flavour released by the first-flavour releasing segmentinto mainstream smoke drawn through the multi-component filter duringuse. For example, where the first flavour-releasing segment comprisesone or more flavour-bearing threads loaded with menthol, the flavourbearing threads are preferably green.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the first flavour-releasingsegment is located at the mouth end of the multi-component filter. Ifdesired, multi-component filters according to the invention may,however, further comprise a mouth end segment comprising a plug offiltration material or a recess downstream of the firstflavour-releasing segment.

Where the first flavour-releasing segment is located at the mouth end ofthe multi-component filter, one end of the at least one flavour-bearingthread is preferably visible at the mouth end of the firstflavour-releasing segment and multi-component filter.

The second flavour-releasing segment may comprise a plug of filtrationmaterial loaded with flavour-bearing cellulosic particles. For example,the second flavour-releasing segment may comprise a cylindrical plug ofcellulose acetate tow loaded with flavour-bearing cellulosic particles.

Alternatively, the second flavour-releasing segment may comprise a bedof flavour-bearing cellulosic particles disposed in a cavity in themulti-component filter. Multi-component filters according to theinvention may comprise second flavour-releasing segments includingflavour-bearing cellulosic particles having, for example, differentdiameters or different colours.

Preferably, the second flavour-releasing segment comprisesflavour-bearing cellulosic beads, more preferably flavour-bearing porouscellulosic beads.

Preferably, the cellulosic beads are substantially spherical.

Preferably, the cellulosic beads have a diameter of between about 0.2 mmand about 2.0 mm.

The cellulosic particles may comprise cellulose bonded with, forexample, a binder such as a poly vinyl acetate binder.

A method of manufacturing cellulosic beads suitable for use in thesecond flavour-releasing segment of multi-component filters according tothe present invention is described in European Patent Publication 850979(U.S. Pat. No. 5,972,507). Cellulosic beads suitable for use in thesecond flavour-releasing segment of multi-component filters according tothe invention are available under the brand name Viscopearl from RengoCo., Ltd., Japan.

Preferably, the flavour-bearing cellulosic particles are loaded withmenthol.

Preferably, the external diameter of multi-component filters accordingto the invention is between about 5 mm and about 8.5 mm, more preferablyabout 7.9 mm.

Preferably, the overall length of multi-component filters according tothe invention is between about 18 mm and about 36 mm, more preferablyabout 27 mm.

Preferably, the length of the first flavour-releasing segment is betweenabout 9 mm and about 18 mm, more preferably about 15 mm.

Preferably, the length of the second flavour-releasing segment isbetween about 9 mm and about 18 mm, more preferably about 12 mm.

Multi-component filters according to the invention may further comprisea rod end segment comprising a plug of filtration material upstream ofthe second flavour-releasing segment.

The rod end segment may comprise any suitable fibrous or webbedfiltration materials including, but not limited to, cellulose acetatetow and crepe paper.

The rod end segment may further comprise a central hollow tube extendingsubstantially axially through the plug of filtration material.Preferably, the tube has an internal diameter of between about 0.8 mmand about 2.0 mm, more preferably of about 1.1 mm, and an externaldiameter of between about 1.0 mm and about 2.2 mm, more preferably ofabout 1.3 mm.

The inclusion of a rod end segment comprising a plug of filtrationmaterial is particularly preferred in multi-component filters accordingto the invention for use in low or ultra low tar filter cigarettes.

Preferably, the length of the rod end segment is between about 8 mm andabout 12 mm, more preferably about 10 mm.

Preferably, multi-component filters according to the invention comprisea maximum of three segments.

Multi-component filters according to the invention may be produced byforming separate continuous rods comprising multiple units of eachsegment of the filter and then combining these separate rods in a knownmanner in one or more stages to form a continuous filter rod comprisingmultiple units of the multiple-component filter. The continuous filterrod may then be subsequently severed at regular intervals by a cuttingmechanism to yield a succession of discrete multi-component filtersaccording to the invention.

According to the invention there is also provided a smoking articlecomprising a rod of smokable material and a multi-component filteraccording to the invention.

The multi-component filter may be attached to the wrapped rod ofsmokable material by tipping paper in a conventional manner. Preferably,the tipping paper has a transparent portion aligned with the secondflavour-releasing segment of the multi-component filter, such that atleast some of the flavour-bearing cellulosic particles of the secondflavour-releasing segment are visible through the transparent portion ofthe tipping paper. The use of tipping paper having at least atransparent portion in alignment with the second flavour-releasingsegment is particularly preferred where the second flavour-releasingsegment of the multi-component filter comprises coloured flavour-bearingcellulosic particles. The multi-component filter may be attached to thewrapped rod of smokable material by transparent tipping paper that isrendered opaque by, for example, gravure printing outside of the regionthat is aligned or in registration with the second flavour-releasingsegment.

Preferably, the overall length of the smoking article is between about68 mm and about 128 mm, more preferably about 84 mm.

Smoking articles according to the present invention preferably furthercomprise at least one circumferential row of perforations at a locationalong the multi-component filter in order to ventilate mainstream smokedrawn through the multi-component filter from the rod of smokablematerial.

Preferably, at least one circumferential row of perforations is locatedat least 12 mm from the mouth end of the multi-component filter.

Preferably, smoking articles according to the present invention have atotal nicotine free dry particulate matter or “tar” delivery of betweenabout 1 mg and about 6 mg, more preferably a total tar delivery ofbetween about 1 mg and about 3 mg.

Preferably, the smokable material is tobacco cut filler.

Preferably, the rod of smokable material is wrapped in cigarette paper.

To maintain the flavour enhancing capabilities of multi-componentfilters according to the invention, smoking articles according to theinvention may be packaged in, for example, soft packs, hinge lid packsor other packs that include a flavour-bearing inner liner. For example,smoking articles according to the invention comprising a multi-componentfilter with a second flavour-releasing segment comprisingflavour-bearing cellulosic particles loaded with menthol and a firstflavour-releasing segment comprising one or more flavour-bearing threadsloaded with menthol may be packaged in containers with a mentholatedinner liner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be further described, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a filter cigarette comprising a tobacco rodand a multi-component filter according to a first embodiment of theinvention with portions thereof broken away to illustrate interiordetails of the multi-component filter.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a filter cigarette comprising a tobacco rodand a multi-component filter according to a second embodiment of theinvention with portions thereof broken away to illustrate interiordetails of the multi-component filter.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of a filter cigarette comprising a tobacco rodand a multi-component filter according to a third embodiment of theinvention with portions thereof broken away to illustrate interiordetails of the multi-component filter.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a filter cigarette comprising a tobacco rodand a multi-component filter according to a fourth embodiment of theinvention with portions thereof broken away to illustrate interiordetails of the multi-component filter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The cigarettes according to the first, second, third and fourthembodiments of the invention shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively,have several components in common; these components have been given thesame reference numerals throughout.

Each cigarette generally comprises an elongate, cylindrical wrapped rodof smokable material 2, such as tobacco cut filler, attached at one endto an axially aligned, elongate, cylindrical, multi-component filter 4.The wrapped tobacco rod 2 and the multi-component filter 4 are joined ina conventional manner by tipping paper 6, which circumscribes the entirelength of the multi-component filter and an adjacent portion of thewrapped tobacco rod 2. To ventilate mainstream smoke produced duringcombustion of the wrapped tobacco rod 4 with ambient air, a plurality ofone or more rows of perforations 8 are provided through the tippingpaper 6 at a location along the multi-component filter 4.

The multi-component filter 4 of the cigarette 10 according to the firstembodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 includes two segments inabutting end-to-end relationship: a first flavour-releasing segment 12,located at the mouth end of the multi-component filter 4, distant fromthe wrapped tobacco rod 2; and a second flavour-releasing segment 14,located upstream of the first flavour-releasing segment 12, which isadjacent to and abuts the wrapped tobacco rod 2.

The first flavour-releasing segment 12 comprises a plug of celluloseacetate tow of medium to high filtration efficiency. A single, centralflavour-bearing cotton thread 16 extends axially through the plug ofcellulose acetate tow parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette10.

The second flavour-releasing segment 14 comprises a plug of celluloseacetate tow of high filtration efficiency, which is substantially evenlyloaded with a plurality of flavour-bearing cellulosic beads 18. Thetipping paper 6 may be transparent at least where it circumscribes thesecond flavour-releasing segment 14, such that the flavour-bearingcellulosic beads 18 of the second flavour-releasing segment 14 arevisible through the tipping paper 6.

In use, mainstream smoke is drawn downstream from the lit end of thewrapped tobacco rod 2 through the multi-component filter 4. As themainstream smoke enters the multi-component filter 4 it passes throughthe second flavour-releasing segment 14, where the high filtrationefficiency cellulose acetate tow partially filters out particulate phasecomponents of the smoke and flavour is released into the mainstreamsmoke from the flavour-bearing cellulosic beads 18.

Having passed through the second flavour-releasing segment 14, themainstream smoke enters the first flavour-releasing segment 12 at themouth end of the multi-component filter 4, where the medium to highfiltration efficiency cellulose acetate tow also partially filters outparticulate phase components of the smoke and further flavour isreleased into the smoke from the flavour-bearing cotton thread 16.

The dual flavour-enhanced smoke then exits the first flavour-releasingsegment 12 of the multi-component filter 4 through the mouth end of thecigarette 10.

The high filtration efficiency of the cellulose acetate tow in thesecond flavour-releasing segment 14 maximises filtration of particulatephase components of the mainstream smoke. At the same time, the firstflavour-releasing segment 12 and the second flavour-releasing segment 14of the multi-component filter 4 advantageously provide dual flavourenhancement to the mainstream smoke. A particularly preferred cigaretteaccording to the first embodiment of the invention, in which the flavourbearing cellulosic beads 18 of the second flavour-releasing segment 14and the flavour-bearing thread 16 of the first flavour-releasing segment12 are highly loaded with menthol, has a nicotine delivery of 0.1 mg anda tar delivery of 1 mg, including in the tar delivery a menthol deliveryof 0.3 mg.

The cigarette 20 according to the second embodiment of the inventionshown in FIG. 2 has a multi-component filter 4 that includes threesegments in abutting end-to-end relationship: a first flavour-releasingsegment 12, located at the mouth end of the multi-component filter 4distant from the wrapped tobacco rod 2; a second flavour-releasingsegment 14, located upstream of the first flavour-releasing segment 12;and a rod end segment 22 located upstream of the secondflavour-releasing segment 12, which is adjacent to and abuts the wrappedtobacco rod 2.

The first flavour-releasing segment 12 is of the same construction asthe first flavour-releasing segment 12 of the cigarette 10 shown in FIG.1, but comprises a plug of cellulose acetate tow of medium to lowfiltration efficiency.

The second flavour-releasing segment 14 is also of the same constructionas the second flavour-releasing segment 14 of the cigarette 10 shown inFIG. 1, but comprises a plug of cellulose acetate tow of low to medium,filtration efficiency.

The rod end segment 22 comprises a plug of cellulose acetate tow of highfiltration efficiency.

The cigarette 24 according to the third embodiment of the inventionshown in FIG. 3 also has a multi-component filter that includes threesegments in abutting end-to-end relationship: a first flavour-releasingsegment 12, located at the mouth end of the multi-component filter 4distant from the wrapped tobacco rod 2; a second flavour-releasingsegment 14, located upstream of the first flavour-releasing segment 12;and a rod end segment 22 located upstream of the secondflavour-releasing segment 12, which is adjacent to and abuts the wrappedtobacco rod 2.

The rod end segment 22 is of the same construction as the rod endsegment 22 of the cigarette 20 shown in FIG. 2.

The first flavour-releasing segment 12 is also of the same constructionas the first flavour-releasing segment 12 of the cigarette 20 shown inFIG. 2, but comprises a plug of cellulose acetate tow of low to mediumfiltration efficiency.

The second flavour-releasing segment 14 is a cavity located between therod end segment 22 and the first flavour-releasing segment 12, which isfilled with flavour-bearing cellulosic beads.

In a particularly preferred cigarette according to the third embodimentof the invention the flavour bearing cellulosic beads 18 of the secondflavour-releasing segment 14 and the flavour-bearing thread 16 of thefirst flavour-releasing segment 12 are highly loaded with menthol andthe cavity of the second flavour-releasing segment 14 is filled to avolume of about 80% or more with the flavour-bearing cellulosic beads.

The cigarette 26 according to the fourth embodiment of the inventionshown in FIG. 4 also has a multi-component filter that includes threesegments in abutting end-to-end relationship: a first flavour-releasingsegment 12, located at the mouth end of the multi-component filter 4distant from the wrapped tobacco rod 2; a second flavour-releasingsegment 14, located upstream of the first flavour-releasing segment 12,and a rod end segment 22 located upstream of the secondflavour-releasing segment 12, which is adjacent to and abuts the wrappedtobacco rod 2.

The first flavour-releasing segment 12 is of the same construction asthe first flavour-releasing segment 12 of the cigarette 20 shown in FIG.2, but comprises a plug of cellulose acetate tow of low to mediumfiltration efficiency.

The second flavour-releasing segment 14 is also of the same constructionas the second flavour-releasing segment 14 of the cigarette 20 shown inFIG. 2, but comprises a plug of cellulose acetate tow of low to highfiltration efficiency, depending on the desired overall filtrationeffect of the cigarette 26.

As shown in FIG. 4, the rod end segment 22 comprises a plug of celluloseacetate tow of medium to high filtration efficiency and a central hollowtube 28, which extends axially through the plug of cellulose acetate towparallel to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette 26. The centralhollow tube 28 extending axially through the rod end segment 22, whichmaximises filtration of particulate phase components of the mainstreamsmoke, increases the tar delivery of the first few puffs of mainstreamsmoke drawn through the cigarette 26.

To form the cigarettes 10, 20, 24, 26 according to the first, second,third and fourth embodiments of the inventions shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3and 4, respectively, the multi-component filters 4 are produced and thenjoined to the wrapped tobacco rods 2, which are produced in aconventional manner, by tipping paper 6 using known filter cigarettemaking equipment.

To produce the multi-component filters 4 of the cigarettes 10, 20, 26according to the first, second and fourth embodiments of the invention,separate continuous rods comprising multiple units of each segment 12,14, 22 of the multi-component filter 4 are produced in a known mannerand then combined to form a continuous filter rod comprising multipleunits of the multiple-component filter 4. The continuous filter rod isthen severed at regular intervals by a cutting mechanism to yield asuccession of discrete multi-component filters 4.

To produce the multi-component filter 4 of the cigarette 24 according tothe third embodiment of the invention, separate continuous rodscomprising multiple units of the first flavour-releasing segment 12 andthe rod end segment 22 of the multi-component filter 4 are produced in aknown manner and then combined to form a continuous filter rodcomprising multiple first flavour-releasing segments 12 and multiple rodend segments 22 separated by cavities. The cavities are filled withcellulosic beads 18 to form multiple second flavour-releasing segments14 and the continuous filter rod comprising multiple units of themultiple-component filter 4 is then severed at regular intervals by acutting mechanism to yield a succession of discrete multi-componentfilters 4.

EXAMPLE

A filter cigarette according to the first embodiment of the inventionhaving the dimensions and properties given in Table 1 below is producedby a conventional combining process.

TABLE 1 Cigarette Resistance to draw (mm WG) 88 Length (mm) 84.0Circumference (mm) 24.8 Nicotine Free Dry Participate Matter 1 (mg)Nicotine (mg) 0.1 Multi-component filter Tobacco rod Resistance to draw(mm WG) 165 — Ventilation (%) 75 — Length (mm) 27.0 57.0 Menthol (mg)11.70 — First flavour- Second flavour- releasing releasing Segment:segment segment — Length (mm) 15.0 12.0 — Resistance to draw (mm WG) 60105 — Cellulose acetate: denier per 2.5 1.5 — filament Celluloseacetate: total denier 37000 46000 — Cotton thread (mg) 6.2 — —Cellulosic beads (mg) — 29.34 — Menthol (mg) 10.8 0.9 —

While the invention has been exemplified above with reference to filtercigarettes comprising multi-component filters including plugs ofcellulose acetate tow, it will be appreciated that multi-componentfilters according to the present invention may comprise plugs of othersuitable fibrous or webbed filtration material.

As described above, in use, the first flavour-releasing segment andsecond flavour-releasing segment of multi-component filters according tothe present invention can each release desired flavours into mainstreamsmoke passing through the multi-component filter, thereby advantageouslyproviding dual flavour enhancement to the mainstream smoke. Through theprovision of dual flavour enhancement to mainstream smoke drawn therethrough, multi-component filters according to the inventionadvantageously enable the manufacture of filter cigarettes and otherfiltered smoking articles that are flavourful, whilst still achievingsignificant reductions in particulate phase and gas phase components ofthe mainstream smoke and an acceptable overall resistance to draw.

1. A multi-component filter for a smoking article comprising: a firstflavour-releasing segment proximate a mouth end of the filter; and asecond flavour-releasing segment located immediately upstream of thefirst flavour-releasing segment, wherein the first flavour-releasingsegment comprises at least one flavour-bearing thread and the secondflavour-releasing segment comprises flavour-bearing cellulosicparticles.
 2. A multi-component filter according to claim 1, wherein thesecond flavour-releasing segment comprises a plug of filtration materialloaded with flavour-bearing cellulosic particles.
 3. A multi-componentfilter according to claim 1, wherein the second flavour-releasingsegment comprises a bed of flavour-bearing cellulosic particles disposedin a cavity in the filter.
 4. A multi-component filter according toclaim 1, wherein the cellulosic particles are porous, substantiallyspherical, cellulosic beads.
 5. A multi-component filter according toclaim 1, wherein the first flavour-releasing segment comprises a plug offiltration material and a substantially central flavour-bearing threadthat extends substantially axially through the plug of filtrationmaterial.
 6. A multi-component filter according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a rod end segment comprising a plug of filtration materialupstream of the second flavour-releasing segment.
 7. A multi-componentfilter according to claim 6, wherein the rod end segment furthercomprises a substantially central hollow tube that extends substantiallyaxially through the plug of filtration material.
 8. A multi-componentfilter according to claim 1, wherein the first flavour-releasing segmentis located at the mouth end of the filter.
 9. A smoking articlecomprising: a rod of smokable material; and a multi-component filteraccording to claim
 1. 10. A smoking article according to claim 9,wherein the multi-component filter is attached to the rod of smokablematerial by tipping paper having a transparent portion in alignment withthe second flavour-releasing segment of the multi-component filter. 11.A multi-component filter according to claim 7, wherein the hollow tubehas an internal diameter of 0.8 mm to 2.0 mm.
 12. A multi-componentfilter according to claim 1, wherein the flavour-bearing thread includesa volatile flavourant.
 13. A multi-component filter according to claim1, wherein the first flavour-releasing segment includes a differentflavourant than the second flavour-releasing segment.
 14. Amulti-component filter according to claim 1, wherein the first andsecond flavour-releasing segments include menthol flavourant.
 15. Amulti-component filter according to claim 4, wherein the beads have adiameter of 0.2 mm to 2.0 mm.
 16. A multi-component filter according toclaim 1, wherein the flavour-bearing thread is visible at the mouth endand has a color indicating the flavour released by the thread.
 17. Asmoking article according to claim 9, wherein at least one row ofperforations in the filter provides ventilation of about 75%.
 18. Asmoking article according to claim 9, wherein the smoking articlecomprises a cigarette contained in a pack having a mentholated liner.19. A multi-component filter according to claim 3, wherein the cavity isat least 80% filled with the beads.
 20. A multi-component filteraccording to claim 1, wherein the thread has a diameter of 0.6 mm to 2.0mm.